House makes lying about military service a crime

The House has taken a decisive stab at amending the Stolen Valor Act, the 2006 law that made it a crime to falsely claim having earned military decorations – a law struck down in June by the Supreme Court on the grounds that it violated free speech rights.

The new bill, passed Wednesday on a 410-3 vote, attempts to get around the court ruling by making clear that the law applies only in cases where people lie about a military record with the aim of obtaining payment or other benefits, AP reports.

The bill states that those who misrepresent their military service with the intent of receiving something of value would be subject to up to one year in prison, AP said. Following the lines of the court ruling, it exempts from punishment those who simply wear military medals or decorations that do not belong to them.

“Defining the intent helps ensure that this law will pass constitutional scrutiny while at the same time achieving its primary objective, which is to preserve and protect the honor and integrity of military service and awards,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., according to AP.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., has introduced a companion bill, AP reports.

“We cannot allow thieves and fraudsters to profit by falsely claiming the distinctions our heroes have earned,” Brown said in a statement. “I will continue working in a bipartisan way to see this bill through the Senate.”